Why?

I have found myself as of late trying to justify a love of knitting to others. When met with their skeptical and more often than not downright patronizing looks I have occasionally resorted to pointing out (something that I personally consider a turn off to knitting) that it's "trendy". It is usually after I have muttered this phrase that I think "If they don't understand the genius of knitting by now, then they don't deserve it". I wish people could understand the potential knitting holds for them. When I pick up my needles and wrap a beautiful yarn around my fingers, my mind settles. My heart rate drops, I let out a sigh and then sit back and enjoy the motion as my fingers slowly create one stitch after another. After a while these stitches begin to take form and I think "wow, I'm actually creating something". This turn of events is an amazing coincidence to me. I really think I would knit even if it didn't turn out to be anything. Although the sense of accomplishment following a completed project definitely has it's place. Aside from that I love knitting because it's in my blood.
My grandma used to knit. She's getting to the point in her life where she doesn't do the things she used to enjoy anymore. I asked her about her childhood once and she told me how she would sit outside on Saturdays during the summer and knit along side her mom and sisters. That's another reason why I love knitting. I'm doing something hundreds of women have done before me. Just like me they probably knit whenever they could. In between preparing meals, washing laundry and loving their children. I'm sure some women chose to knit because sometimes it just doesn't feel right if your not doing something. My Grandma watched me as I knit once and said that her mom must look down from Heaven and smile. I like to think that too. I don't remember much about my Great-Grandma but I think it's kind of cool that when I die and get to see her again she can help me with my knitting.

Just say no

While I was doing the dishes today, my mind wandered to the subject of Chirstmas shopping. Don't be alarmed - I had just opened the cupboard where I kept the names I had drawn for our family's Christmas party and I got to thinking. I bet I could make a scarf for my cousin whose name I drew. I wonder if she would like it? Should I also knit a hat and mittens? Would just giving her a scarf seem chinsy or would she think "A scarf? I thought you knew how to knit sweaters?" Not to mention I am on the verge of finishing my first sock ever (notice I did not say 'socks') and they were going to be a birthday present for a certain 2 year old I know. He is now two. Not "almost two". Two. And look above to the reference about there being only one sock - almost done. Right. The socks are now slated for a Christmas delivery. Remember the scarf? That I swatched? Picture that swatch in the photograph 2 and a 1/2 inches wider and 4 inches longer - there's the scarf today. Oh, right the blanket. Well that's okay see because the "baby" that it was being made for just turned two and I hear that there are a pair of socks in his future. Since the blanket is now for the next baby and I'm not even pregnant it would seem I have plenty of time - I have hearby been freed up to start new guilt-free projects.......except the two year old has an older brother who has mentioned that he would also like a pair of socks so......I guess my cousin will just have to make due with a book.

First blog ever....

Yes, so begins my adventures in blogging. Last night I finished my second swatch. A swatch for a scarf. Not many people make a swatch for a scarf. I'm what you would call a "process knitter". I tried different stitch patterns, different cast on's and bind off's. Maybe eventually I will have a scarf. Sometime in the summer most likely. For Christmas my little boy (aka - me) gave me 2 skeins of Manos del Uruguay yarn..........LOVE IT! Totally intended for this scarf. The problem is that I am also working on a blanket for my baby - well he was a baby when I started it. And whenever I start to make this scarf I see the blanket out of the corner of my eye. Taunting me. Saying "how could you"? The longer it takes for me to finish it the longer it will need to be. It's going to be such an awesome blanket too. The yarn is perfect - it's antique cotton fleece. Despite the beauty of the yarn, I don't know what I was thinking. I am well aware that I am the world's slowest knitter. Who in the world when faced with this knowledge uses a worsted weight yarn with size 6 needles? Especially in this day and age of needles size 35 and extra bulky, chunky yarn. Go figure.